Blacks In Daytona Seek Closer Voting Spot

Those Who Cannot Go 20 Miles To Vote Early Are Disenfranchised, Some Leaders Say.

October 5, 2004|By Ludmilla Lelis, Sentinel Staff Writer

DAYTONA BEACH -- Several black religious leaders and politicians rallied, and promised to file a lawsuit if necessary, to establish an early-voting site in Daytona Beach for the Nov. 2 election.

The group, which included a dozen elected officials, the NAACP and the Daytona Beach Black Clergy Alliance, think the lack of such a site would disenfranchise voters eager to participate in this year's presidential election. Volusia has early voting available at the county elections office in DeLand.

"This decision fundamentally denies voters the same opportunity as voters on the west side of the county," said Cynthia Slater, president of the Volusia County-Daytona Beach branch of the NAACP. "This has the effect of disenfranchising voters who cannot go 20 miles."

With less than a month before Election Day, Volusia County Elections Supervisor Deanie Lowe said Monday it is impossible to open such a site, and that the decision not to have such a site was made by the Volusia County Council two years ago.

Early-voting sites allow voters to cast their ballots up to 15 days prior to Election Day. The votes aren't counted until the polls close Nov. 2. State law requires that early voting be available at elections offices or branch offices eight hours every weekday and a total of eight hours during weekends. Elections supervisors have the option to open additional early-voting sites at city halls or public libraries.

Trying to open an early-voting site now, with Election Day around the corner, would be impossible, Lowe said.

According to state law, additional sites would have to be opened in New Smyrna Beach and Deltona in addition to Daytona Beach to be geographically spread out, she said.